Cherokee Film hamburger

Behind the Scenes: Cherokee Film Incentive Supports Major Motion Picture

Production supported the hiring of nearly 30 Native Americans

TULSA, Okla. — Another title supported by the Cherokee Film Incentive made its way to the box office this spring, showcasing one of the final performances of actor James Van Der Beek, alongside Mason Gooding, Algee Smith and Keith Powers.

Lionsgate presents “The Gates,” an Indy Entertainment & Core 4 Films production in association with Rebellium Films.

The project was a recipient of the Cherokee Film Incentive, designed to incentivize film and media projects to film within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

Production supported the hiring of nearly 30 Native Americans for the project’s development, pre-production, production and post-production phases.

“This film created opportunities for our talented local workforce to shine,” said Maggie Cunningham, senior manager of Cherokee Film Commission. “The Cherokee Nation Reservation continues to prove that it is film ready for projects of any size, offering unrivaled professionalism, support and hospitality.”

Written and directed by John Burr, “The Gates” follows three college students on a road trip gone wrong, as they take an ill-advised shortcut through a remote gated community, where they find themselves trapped behind the walls after witnessing a murder.

Over the course of the night, they find themselves blamed, hunted and fractured by their own differing belief systems, while the perpetrator, at his most charming and terrifying, emerges as the cunning patriarch who holds the entire community under his influence.

The film is now available to rent or buy on all major digital/VOD platforms.

Cherokee Nation was the first tribe to offer its own film incentive. Since its launch in 2022, it has supported nine projects, brought in nearly $6 million in spending and supported 421 Native hires.

The incentive is available on its own or may be used in conjunction with other incentive programs made available at the city, state and tribal level.

Cherokee Film is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses and based in the Cherokee Nation Reservation in Oklahoma. The tribe’s film ecosystem includes four distinct branches — Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Studios, Cherokee Film Commission and Cherokee Film Institute — all working toward a shared goal of innovating narrative sovereignty while creating economic development within the tribe’s reservation.

About Cherokee Film

The mission of Cherokee Film is to reclaim Cherokee and Native narratives by increasing representation across film and media while creating an ecosystem that supports production and drives economic activity in the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Film is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses, the board-governed holding company of the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. One-hundred percent of the company’s profits support future business investments and the well-being of the tribe’s citizens through health care, education and job creation, ensuring better lives for Cherokees today and tomorrow.

For more information, please visit Cherokee.film or follow Cherokee Film on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

Related News
View All

Variety’s Education Impact Report Spotlights Innovation and Storytelling

Cherokee Film Productions announces feature documentary about Cherokee Freedmen

Cherokee Film Contributes to Authentic Indigenous Representation in New Ken Burns’ Docuseries

Media Contact

Whitney Dittman

Whitney.Dittman@cnbglobal.com

918.729.4495

Join Us
Be the First to Know

Sign up to receive the Monthly Montage and other Cherokee Film news straight to your inbox.

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Michael Musante

Film & TV Finance and Development Executive

Michael is the executive in charge of film and TV finance and development at Cherokee Film. Prior to that, he was vice president of film production and acquisitions at American Zoetrope for more than seven years and a co-founder, along with Roman Coppola, of The Decentralized Pictures Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent filmmaking and filmmakers from underserved and underrepresented communities. He continues to serve on its board. He is an attorney, admitted to practice in New York and North Carolina, and received his Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2001. He practiced law for 10 years before becoming a full-time creative film producer. He has worked closely with such accomplished filmmakers as Roman Coppola, Sofia Coppola, Gia Coppola, Ted Kotcheff, Martha Coolidge, Fred Roos and Richard Chew before and during his time at American Zoetrope. During his tenure at American Zoetrope, he oversaw the development and production of several feature films: Gia Coppola’s “Mainstream,” starring Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff and Jason Schwartzman; “Fairyland,” starring Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy; as well as the production of “The Outsiders” musical, which debuted on Broadway at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre on April 11, 2024.

Todd Roberts

Soundstage Manager

Todd Roberts serves Cherokee Film as soundstage manager. He has more than 35 years of experience as a photographer and filmmaker. He is multi-passionate in skills and subject matter. He’s created more than 400 episodes of documentary-style television shows (“Doomsday Preppers,” “Man vs. Food Nation,” “Safari Hunter’s Journal,” “House Hunters International” and more) produced in 22 countries and airing nationally. Todd’s commercial films have served his clients well (American Express, Audi, Freightliner Trucks, Volkswagen, United Way, Walmart and many more). Todd’s productions have received numerous accolades (Addy Awards, Communicator Awards, Flame Awards, ITVA Awards, Summit Awards, Telly Awards, as well as awards from film festivals). While his skills and interests are broad, Todd’s overarching theme is the art of storytelling.

Maggie Cunningham

Pawnee Nation

Film Commissioner

Maggie Cunningham (Pawnee Nation) is a Regional Emmy-winning producer and the Cherokee Film Commissioner. Before joining the OsiyoTV team, Maggie worked in the museum and cultural heritage field. Her previous roles included positions as an archivist and tribal NAGPRA coordinator. She also spent time as a project manager for several Native-owned consultation and media production firms. She saw firsthand the impact an Indigenous narrative can have on a community during her time researching at Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum of Aotearoa (New Zealand). She continued to cultivate this focus in her years of cultural heritage work and storytelling. Her experience working within Native communities here in Oklahoma has only solidified her drive to tell authentic Native-led stories with the power and impact of film. Maggie holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in studio art and Native American studies. She earned her Master of Arts from New York University. Maggie resides in Tulsa with her family.

Hannah Roark

Cherokee Nation

Film & TV Development Specialist

Hannah Roark holds a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts and graduated with highest distinction from the University of Kansas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in English. She joined the Cherokee Film team in July 2022. Her prior film production experience includes work as an office production assistant, director’s assistant, production coordinator and associate producer. When she’s not at work, Hannah is writing screenplays, TV pilots, or collaborating in writers’ groups. She believes that every good story can be a great one.